Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-21
THE MESSAGE.
[COaansed from First Page. ]

Virginia to Baltimore, Ia case of common
Occurrence) it would strike the most ordi-
nary understanding as not only unjust,
but contrary to the purposes or genius Of q
constitution that was created to promote
the general welfare. The power conferred
upon Congress by the Constitution of the
United States, to regulate commerce amongst
the several States, gives no authority to
Destroy or embargo it in either, yet that is
exactly the power that this bill places in
the hands of the Commission.
II do not believe that such provision
is in harmony with the fundamental law
of our country; but, on the contrary, is I'M
constitutional and void.
~ have deemed it proper to call your
attention TO this Federal legislation. be-
cause it affects most deeply the interests
and prosperity of the entire people of this
State. Should the Commission permit
determinations against this State | ask
that authority and direction he given TO
cause the institution and prosecution of
proper legal proceedings, at the expense of
the State, that our constitutional guaran
tees may DO enforced by the Supreme
Court of the United States, if il be neces-
Il Sal db INC pitCtiCAl
1t is hardly necessary to say that the
Interstate Commerce Act does not apply
to nor affect the subject of railroad charges
when the service is performed entirely
within the State, and that this can be con-
trOlled alone by State legislation.
The freight schedules made out and
posted at railroad offices in this State since
the Interstate Commerce Act went into
effect show that in many instances the
local charges have actually been doubled.
The system has already been iaaugurated
of extOrting from our people on local
charges what the Interstate Commerce Act
has prohibited on through fTeights. As one
form of oppression is abolished, others are
invented, Does the generosity of West
| Virginia as exhibited in the most liberal
laws upon the subject Of railroads to be
found within the United States invite
these new exaetions?
assert as an indisputable fact that the
Laws OF no portion of the country afford
greater facilities tor railroad building or
greater protection to railroad property than
DO the laws of this State, while but few
States in the Union have done so little TO
protect the agricultural, mining, manufac
turing and commercial industries from
being shorn of their legitimate profits
through excessive and extOrtionate freight
charges. Do not these various industries
demand as much consideration as rail
roads?
We can look to no other source for the
regulation of local freight and passenger
charges, but to our own Legislature.
Surely, at least, the same degree OF protec
ton should be secured to the people on
State, that Congress has provided for inter
State commerce. With profound defer
enes and respect submit that the cOnsti-
tutional requirement of our State should be
carried into effect by the Legislative De-
partment.
performing what / conceive to be my
constitutional obligation, and my official
duty to. the most important interests of the
State, | renew my recommendation for
such legislation npOn this subject as will
secure even-handed justice to both the
railroads and the people. l especially
recommend that, both as to passengers and |
property, a greater charge for shorter |
than a longer distance, and every species |
Of discrimination against, or in favor OF, |
individuals or localities, and every means |
by which it may be accomplished be Also
Iutely prohibited. That 3 commission be |
created, with such authority as may be |
necessary for the application and execution |
Of the law, and to obtain such relief as may |
be had from Federal law and that adequate
penalties be provided to secure respect and
obedience"
V. To prohibit railroad companies from
carrying or conveying public officers over
their roads free of charge or at less rate
and to abolish absolutely the free pass sys'
TEN.
vi. To prohibit railroad companies from
carrying or conveying delegates TO poht-
ical conventions over their roads free of
charge, or at o less charge than is made for
all other such delegates TO such conven-
tons; and TO define what shall constitute a
political convention.
VII. To prohibit the use Of money and
all other improper. fraudulent and corrupt
means to secure nominations by political
parties or election TO public Office.
Because believe il to be right and in
conformity to the overwhelming sentiment
of the people and for the reasons suggested
by message at your last January session,
again recommend adequate legislation on
these subjects.
VIII. ToprOvide for the acceptance and
confirmation of the report of the joint
boundary commission on the boundary
lines between West Virginia and Pennsyl-
Vania.
TX To provide for establishing the
boundary line between West Virginia and
Maryland.
X. To provide for establishing the bonn
Diary line between West Virginia and Vir-
ginia.
Bills for all of the purposes having
been passed in one or the other of your re- /,
spective bodies, were pending at yonr ad-
and, no doubt, for that reason
alone, failed to become laws. Il
XII For the Senate to act upon Execu- ]
tive nominations for Office.
E. W. WILSON. 1